Chapter 413: Transfer of the Bismarck

"That price..."

"The price will be decided at the negotiating table," Chen Feng said, "but the bottom line is: we want Deguo's trade privileges in all its colonies in Yazhou, we want core technology sharing of Krupp and Rhine Metal, and also... a promise from the Deguo Emperor."

"What promise?"

"After the war, regardless of victory or defeat, Deguo must support Lanfang's 'reasonable security needs' in Southeast Asia." Chen Feng walked to the world map, his finger sweeping over the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, "Europe's war will always end, but Yazhou's game is just beginning. We must obtain enough chips before that."

Outside the window, a cargo ship sounded its horn and set sail toward the Indian Ocean, toward Europe, toward the world being reshaped by war.

And on the banks of the Somme, 150,000 soldiers of the Sakura Nation dressed in Degjun uniforms were digging their own graves. They did not know that their blood was becoming chips on the negotiating table of distant chessmasters.

War has never been confined to the battlefield alone.

North Sea, southern part, 40 nautical miles west of the Dover Strait, 6 a. m. on July 18, 1916.

The morning mist flowed over the sea like milk, visibility under five hundred meters. The bow of the "Huang He" split the gray‑white fog wall, its steel prow like a silent giant sword, cutting the mist in two. About two chains (≈400 meters) behind her left side, the outline of the "Chang Jiang" was faint in the fog, only vague lights and a low engine hum attesting to its presence.

Two Bismarck Class battleships were cruising north at 12 knots. This was the eighteenth day since they left Dubai, the voyage nearing six thousand nautical miles. At this moment, they were not flying the German Navy war flag, nor Lanfang's dragon flag, but a special temporary flag—a red‑and‑white horizontal stripe with a black circle in the center, the identification mark used by neutral nation warships when passing through combat zones.

Li Te, Major General, stood on the bridge of the "Huang He", looking through the observation window at the white‑washed world outside. His uniform bore no national insignia, and his shoulder boards had been temporarily removed—this was a detail Chen Feng specifically instructed: before reaching Deguo, they must be a "stateless technology transfer team," not "Lanfang naval officers."

"Course 025, speed 12 knots, sir," the helmsman reported in We need to output lines: English. All commands in the wheelhouse were given in We need to output lines: English, a rule set before departure: before entering Deguo waters, avoid exposing any German or English communications that Yingguo might intercept.

Li Te nodded, turned to the navigation officer: "Distance Wilhelm Port still how far?"

"Approximately 220 nautical miles, sir. If we maintain this speed, we can arrive at dawn tomorrow," the navigation officer paused, lowered his voice, "General, radar shows a Yingguo destroyer on each side, parallel at five nautical miles out. They've been following us for six hours."

"Let them follow," Li Te said calmly, "As long as we don't fly the Deguo flag, they have no reason to intercept. Remember, we are now a neutral nation vessel, conducting a 'friendly visit and technology exchange.'"

Colonel Zhao Gang, the first officer, walked over, holding the freshly deciphered Encrypted Telegram: "General, the latest orders from Berlin. Wilhelm Port has cleared berths 1 and 2; all unrelated vessels have withdrawn. Your Majesty the Emperor will attend the commissioning ceremony in person."

"Tirpitz?"

"The telegram says Marshal Tirpitz will board the ship for inspection two hours early," Zhao Gang hesitated, "General, there is something I worry about. When we departed Dubai, Yingguo may have already noticed. If they deduce that the final destination of these two ships is the German Navy..."

"They would certainly deduce that," Li Te interrupted, "Do you think these 40,000‑ton battleships are cruise liners? The whole world knows Lanfang and Deguo are making a deal. But Yingguo will not intercept, at least not now."

"Why?"

"Three reasons," Li Te raised a finger, "First, we are flying a special neutral flag; intercepting a neutral vessel would trigger a diplomatic crisis, especially while America is still watching. Second, Yingguo must weigh: risk intercepting two battleships and offend Lanfang, an important rubber and oil supplier, or turn a blind eye? Third, and most crucial..."

He walked to the chart table, his finger pointing at the North Sea map: "Yingguo's greatest current threat is not surface fleets, but submarines. The 'Iron Duke' was sunk only ten days ago, and the entire Royal Navy is rethinking anti‑submarine tactics. At this critical moment, they will not easily provoke a new incident, especially one that could push Lanfang onto Deguo's side."

Zhao Gang, thoughtful, "So President Chen Feng chose this moment to deliver..."

"The timing is meticulously calculated," Li Te said, "Verdun and the Somme are raging, Yingguo's attention is on the land. The navy just took a loss and needs time to adjust. Moreover, we deliberately routed around the Atlantic, approaching Deguo from the northwest, creating a 'return from the open ocean' illusion—though professionals see through it, at least it gives Yingguo an excuse not to intercept."

At that moment, the radar officer reported, "The Yingguo destroyer on the left has turned away, moving off. The one on the right... also turned away."

Li Te glanced at his pocket watch: 6:47 a. m.

"Their shift change is due," he judged, "Tell the 'Chang Jiang' to accelerate to 18 knots. We must enter Deguo coastal waters before the next Yingguo patrol ships arrive."

The order was given. The two giant ships' smokestacks belched thicker black smoke, the bow‑raised spray turning from white to frothy bubbles. The speedometer needle climbed slowly: 14 knots, 16 knots, 18 knots.

In the "Chang Jiang"'s engine room, the temperature had risen to 45 degrees. Engine chief Liu Yonghui, Major — a cousin of Industry Minister Liu Yongfu — was overseeing the final operational checks. Twelve high‑pressure boilers ran at full power, their steam driving three turbines, delivering a total output of 100,000 horsepower.

"All parameters normal, sir!" the engine crew shouted, "However, turbine No. 3's vibration is slightly higher than yesterday; recommend checking the bearing after arrival."

"Record it," Liu Yonghui wiped his sweat, "After reaching Wilhelm Port, we must give the Deguo a full technical handover. Every detail must be explained, especially safety procedures. I don't want these ships to suffer accidents due to mishandling; that would tarnish Lanfang's shipbuilding reputation."

"Sir," a young engine crew member whispered, "Are we really going to sell such advanced ships to Deguo? I heard these two ships are stronger than all of Yingguo's current battleships..."

Liu Yonghui glanced at him, "Kid, how old are you?"

"Twenty‑one, sir."

"Then remember," Liu Yonghui pointed at the roaring machines around them, "Technology is always advancing. Today we sell them ships ten years ahead; tomorrow we'll have designs twenty years ahead. The key is we must stay ahead. And..."

He paused, his voice lowered, "Moreover, these two ships' designs have intentional 'margin' built in. The Deguo will certainly study and copy them, but their copies will always lag one step behind our next version."